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APRIL / MAY - NEWSLETTER 2010
Growth Has Great Challenges And Great Rewards!
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Waiting for Parts! |
The good news, so far, is that the work on our farms was only slightly disrupted, but at an unfortunate time of the season – when we should have been planting, many were in the turmoil of their first democratic election in Sudan in over 24 years. Please pray earnestly that enough planting was done to reap a good harvest.
To say that Sudan has been going through unprecedented electoral turmoil would be the understatement of the dec-ade! Balloting rigged by the Islamist north was reacted to by the withdrawal of the South’s candidate for president. Ballots were misprinted and undelivered by the north with names left off. A two day extension was added to the planned three day voting window. (Apr. 11th -13th – to 15th)
It has demonstrated clearly the intended sabotage of the process by, according to Transparency International, the most corrupt government in the world – Northern
Sudan. What can we do about it? PRAY with fervent,
effectual prayer!
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Down Again! |
Two volunteers have been to, and now returned from Sudan. In August, another one, per-haps two will be going to help in both mechanical and farm training. I am so grateful to God for these men!
Zamba Duku, our Managing Director, wrote the following
bad news:
"I believe the issue of maintenance and repair of machinery has be-come a huge hole into which our funds sink. We have had to repair the bull dozers more than twice in the last eight months or so, particularly the engines which we have had to ferry to Kampala for repair. And every time we fix the engines either they do not work for long and break down again or other major parts of the machines need replace-ment at extremely huge costs. The Komatsu got working finally only three days ago after we had to replace the pressure plate and other parts. Now the mechanics say we must also replace the metal tips of the loading bucket of the Komatsu, all seven pieces of them and with each piece estimated to cost some four hundred dollars. And the tracks of both bull dozers are said to be worn out and in need of re-placement!! The CAT worked for a while, but
the starter has failed and the mechanics advise that we purchase a new one, although I asked Amos and Mogga to bring the spoiled one along so I can take it to a place where I hope it will be repaired." -
Zamba
This sums up the slow land clearing problems for us. We are about a year behind in our scheduled progress planned increase in planting and food production. This is critical to the lives of many people. We are desperately hampered by machinery breakdowns.
I said in my last letter that I would give a bit of back-ground on the Board mem-bers of the Savannah Farm-ers Cooperative (SFC) in Sudan. Good men! Godly Men! All Christian gentle-men!
Mr. Steven Wondu – Chairman of the Board – Recently appointed Auditor General for the Government of South-ern Sudan GoSS. Former Ambassador to USA then to Ja-pan. Certified General Accountant. The man with whom I originally planned the whole con-cept of the SFC.
The Hon. Zamba Duku – Managing Director of SFC. Former Brigadier General in the SPLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Central Equatoria State of Southern Sudan. Brilliant strategist and organizer. We are in serious talks with Zamba about becoming a full-time employee for SFC. His pay will have to be sig-nificant!
Dr. Samson Kwaje – Sec. Treas. Of the Board. Holds four doctorates, one in plant pathology. He is Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in the central Gov-ernment of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and one of the central negotiators in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the North of Sudan.
Dr. Manase Lomole Waya – Member. He is Deputy Gov-ernor of Equatoria State, as well as State Minis-ter of Agriculture and Forestry. He initiated a Non-Government Organization for the building of schools in southern Sudan back when the war was in full swing. In every spare moment, he is an evangelist. He founded the hospital we are still trying to finish.
His Excellency, Mr. Muki Batali – Member. He is District Commissioner for the Kajokeji County in which most of the SFC farms are located and was in-strumental in finding landlords (including him-self) who donated the vast acreage (many, many thousands) to be used exclusively by SFC for food production. I’ve never seen him without a smile.
Mr. Ben Yengi – Member. Lived in Australia for years and was decorated by both the Queen and the Prime Minister for his work among international refu-gees there. He has returned to Southern Sudan and has set up an NGO to protect wildlife and natural reserves. A brilliant organizer, and very methodical! Exceptional advisor!
Cal Bombay – Deputy Chairman of the SFC Board.We seven, I believe, have been chosen by heaven. God has affirmed, and re-affirmed in many ways that we are on the right track, and even though there have been glitches occasion-ally, God has shown us a way around or straight through them.
AND NOW WE FACE THE NEED FOR EXPANSION
Many of you have written to me knowing that I am doing most of the fund-raising and work here in Canada by my-self, suggesting I would be wise to get help. I have to admit, it becomes overwhelming at times. “In the multitude of ad-visors there is great wisdom”. I have listened and will now bring someone on board to share some of the things that I don’t even have time to get to. Pray that God’s man will join me!
Karen, my daughter-in-law, does all the book-keeping a few days a week. She works at two other jobs as well. My son John, works at FORD making cars, or working for two eth-nic Christian television ministries, finds time to do all my technical and video work.
This expansion is also necessary in Sudan. This is espe-cially true when it comes to the critical need for more heavy equipment for clearing land. We are holding training ses-sions for local farmers to up-grade their skills and introduce them to 21st century farming. The response is most encour-aging.
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Fields Ready for Harvest! |
THEREFORE we are resolved to ask you to pray for us that God will grant Cal Bombay Ministries favour with large funding sources. We will literally need several mil-lion dollars in the immediate future. You may feel your donations are not very significant, be they large or small, they are what have brought us to this breakthrough point. Your giving is still critical to the ongoing development of the farms and the building of warehouses, housing, offices and churches.
The Gospel is seen through compassion for the poor and ministry to needy people, body, soul and spirit. Your con-tinued sacrificial help is es-sential. We thank you for your prayers and for your donations.
In love for God and Sudan,
Cal R Bombay
"The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the la-borers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send forth labourers (and their equipment) into his harvest."
Matthew 9:37-38 |
